Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Church of Ireland church stands in N quadrant of graveyard with medieval church ruins shown to S of protestant church on the 1841 ed. OSi 6-inch map. The church of Killeentierna (Cillín Tiarna/little church of St Tiernach) stands in the parish of Killeentierna, diocese of Ardfert, barony of Trughanacmy. In 1841 the Ordnance Survey recorded the following details about Killeentierna; 'There are no ecclesiastical antiquities in this parish; the site of the old Killeen is occupied by a modern Protestant church' (O'Donovan 1983, 74).
Church and graveyard surveyed in 2011 and described as follows; 'Located in the central area of the graveyard were the possible converted ruins of Killeentierna church or an associated building. The ruin appears to be in a relatively good and stable condition, and retains much of its basic form. It appears that the structure has been recently converted into a mausoleum with skeletons laid on the surface of the interior floor. This structure is orientated on a north/south axis. The walls are constructed from coursed dressed rubble limestone with dressed limestone block quoins. The surviving walls are approximately 2 m high to the modern eaves. However the structure has been altered to serve its present function as a mausoleum and it is not possible to determine how
many bays the structure originally contained. The current structure is of only one bay and is single storey.
Some variation to the masonry of the south elevation indicates different periods of use and repair works. A recent barrel vaulted roof has been constructed over the structure and has been unusually clad with rubble limestone blocks, giving the roof a rough visual effect. A probable original slit aperture exists in the north elevation and consists of chamfered tooled limestone sills, surrounds and sills. As previously mentioned a later opening was made in the east elevation and is associated with the Twiss family tomb. A possible saddle quern is located projecting from the south elevation. Further architectural fragments located throughout the graveyard may possibly be associated with this church structure.
Miscellaneous No. 02: Also forming a gravemarker to Grave No. 149, this architectural fragment
consists of a tooled limestone block, of a similar design and shape to the stones which form the fabric
of the church ruin. Miscellaneous No. 04: A tooled limestone block, formerly forming a piece within a door jamb. Now forming a plinth block to the headstone of Grave No. 97. Miscellaneous No. 05: Square tooled limestone block, now forming gravemarker of Grave No. 150. Possibly originating from church ruin. Miscellaneous No. 06: Large rectangular tooled limestone block, possibly originally forming a sill stone or lintel. Miscellaneous No. 07: Tooled rectangular limestone block, possibly associated with church. Miscellaneous No. 08: Carved limestone block in shape of a cross, possibly forming central stone to ribbing to vaulting. Miscellaneous No. 09: Large tooled limestone block with chamfered edging, possibly part of a window sill or surrounds. Miscellaneous No. 10: Large tooled limestone block ' (Hanbidge 2011, 11-12).

See attached plan of graveyard, courtesy of Robert Hanbidge

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 25 May 2022

References

O'Donovan, J. 1983 The antiquities of the county of Kerry. Cork. Royal Carbery Books.

Hanbidge, R. 2011 Archaeological Survey of Killeentierna Burial Ground, Currow, Killarney County Kerry. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology Ltd. for Kerry County Council.